8.1 Negation

Meddling with other parties has only proven to be more trouble than it is worth. Favor or not you conclude you have no desire to learn anymore from the pretentious politician. The day of the meeting comes and passes quickly as you set your attention back to your true task. The day of election is nearing and with it your chance to finally address your subjects. The remainder of your time is spent refreshing on important subjects and ideas with Iason. His input has proven to be rather invaluable as he helps expand your knowledge of policies and skills of debate. Regardless, you cannot help feeling apprehensive when the awaited event abruptly arrives. The prior evening you found yourself in an increasingly typical restless sleep. Somewhat obscured visions of a dense forest filled your mind as you seemed to float through its interior. Though you're sure it's a place you've never visited, you found your surroundings hauntingly familiar. Deep thunder from above sounded muffled as semi-translucent flashes of lightening illuminated your path.

Progressing deeper inside, you thought you had made out the outline of a figure in the distance. However, as you approached the turned being and reached out, the shadowy form dissolved under your touch. The real clash of lightening outside startled you awake in a cold sweat. Exhaling deeply, you found yourself unable to shake the slightly uneasy feeling that accompanied your strange dream. Unable to return to sleep, you spent the rest of the night rereading the scroll you received after your first encounter with Iason. Eventually, the storm clears enough to let way for the rising sun. Still anxious, you quickly usher your attendants in to assist with your preparations. Choosing a modest look, you purposefully limited the amount of jewelry and fineries you adorn. Still too tense to eat you instead opt for liquid courage. Wincing lightly as the moderately acidic wine burns the inside of your throat, you **** yourself to down the goblets contents. Exhaling deeply, you take a moment to survey your reflection in the polished silver mirror.

After pulling a few strands of hair out of the tight braids around your head, you feel as if you are finally ready. You are escorted to the center of the city where you are slightly dismayed to see your opponents have already arrived. Though you can feel Kyros' intense green eyes boring into you, you're far too distracted to care. Briefly glancing over at who you assume to be Nereus, you avoid his equally harsh stare.You're unsure whether to feel relieved or annoyed that it seems the men will be speaking first. It is hardly surprising to you that the most popular candidate would speak first. However, seeing as you will be the final speaker makes you begin questioning your affluence. Kyros seems to center his speech on his typical critique of the current system coupled with his the value of his humble beginnings. Promising that he will be the voice of the people and insure their needs are met. While it is an enticing promise, you can't help feeling as if it is mildly pandering. A good majority of the crowd on the other hand, appears to completely convinced of his promises.

Attempting to ignore this, you turn your attention to the next speaker. You are confused by his attire as he seems to be dressed in a somewhat out of date military uniform. Though you quickly surmise he likely had been in military in the past and is now hoping to appeal to those who hold men of service in higher regard. This is quickly confirmed when a large portion of his discourse focuses on the importance of keeping the territory safe. He heavily implies that only someone of his background could be suited for such an important role. While Kyros had subtly insinuated the importance of maintaining traditional roles, Nereus unabashedly calls for it. Ending his speech with a rather unflattering portrayal of the ineptitude that would result in someone of a lesser status, if not lesser gender, were to assume the position. To your dismay some of the crowd seems to buzz in excitement at the accusation, as if his words have suddenly provided them the agency to also voice their displeasures of such an idea. Gritting your teeth, you uncomfortably **** your expression to remain neutral.

The sky has become dark again as more clouds have replaced those that had dispersed earlier. The eyes of the crowd turn their attention to you when you slowly ascend the makeshift platform and face them head on. A somewhat confining silence surrounds you as you quickly survey the large mass of people gather all around. While the majority seems fairly apathetic, there are still those that glare rather hostily as you begin speaking. "In the words of a previous ruler; 'The greatest impediments to changes in our traditional roles seem to lie not in the visible world of conscious intent, but in the murky realm of the **** mind.'" You begin, quoting the very scroll you had been viewing in preparation. "It is true that is unheard of for someone of my being to assume such a paramount role. However, the debate often falls on the side of disproving why that should be rather than arguing why it should not." The silence from the crowd remains in effect as you begin gaining more confidence.

"Since the establishment of our dominion it has been overseen by a male figure. With that we have seen many a great leader yet equally many a poor leader. There is no doubt of the competence and capability of the men of this land." Your voice has grown louder, but remains even and direct. "I am simply proposing we reimplement the very roles we have already established are superior." Visible confusion ripples through the crowd, along with your competitors. Stifling the urge to raise your hopes, you continue. "It is suited for men to oversee the physically and mentally demanding aspects of life, as is replicated in the military. However, is it not equally suited for women to care for the needs of family and general wellbeing, as is replicated in the very homes you live in? I would oversee this land in the same regard as if it were my familial household, seeing and caring to the need of every individual it encompasses." The crowd begins to murmur amongst itself at your proposition. You finish your speech with adding the fact that you have managed relative peace and stability during your short time as stand-in leader.

Once finished, you descend the platform in time to be met by the sudden down poor of rain. Slightly uncomfortable tension hangs in the air as you rejoin the crowd below. Knowing the results of the populous votes could take several days, you return to the estate anxiously. When you return, the storm appears to have reached a fever pitch. Strong gusts of wind rake across your back as you are escorted ahead, finding yourself completely soaked when you do make it into the covered interior. Shivering reflexively, you're only somewhat aware of how cold you've become. Thoughts from the earlier event still cloud your mind as the continue to replay. Shrugging your wet cloak off, it's quickly taken away by one of your attentive servants. As you continue forward, heading towards your chambers, a sudden twinge of slight fear comes over you. Pausing, you listen but can only hear the increasingly rapid beat of your heart. Glancing around you attempt to calm your nervous emotions. Seeing nothing, and continuing to hear nothing, you begin to relax marginally. Looking ahead down the split hallway, you choose which direction to head in.